Press mechanism for stack-forming implements

ABSTRACT

Mechanism for reciprocating the press of a stack-forming implement utilizes hydraulic energy so arranged as to decrease the time consumed during each pressing operation. To this end, the forces imparted by fluid pressure piston and cylinder assemblies are, in effect, reversed by unique arm and link arrangements such that the pressing stroke takes place as the piston stems are extended and the press is moved rapidly along its return stroke during retraction of the stems. Synchronization is effected by intermeshing gear teeth between each of two pairs of power transmitting arms or beams and by an operable interconnection through use of a torque member, the linkages being so connected as to apply equalized forces at each of four corners of the press.

Brooks et al.

[451 Sept. 11, 1973 PRESS MECHANISM FOR STACK-FORMING IMPLEMENTS Filed:

Inventors: liean l l lirooksi Gordon M.

McDaniel, both of Hesston, Kans.

Assignee: Hesston Corporation, Hesston,

Kans.

Jan. 19, 1972 Appl. No.: 218,889

US. Cl. 100/270, 100/258, 214/522 Int. Cl. B30b 1/08, 860p 1/00 Field ofSearch 100/270, 100, 189,

- References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Jonas 100/245 X PrimaryExaminer-Harvey C. Hornsby Assistant Examiner-Arthur 0. HendersonAttorneySchmidt, Johnson, l-lovey & Williams [57] ABSTRACT Mechanism forreciprocating the press of a stackforming implement utilizes hydraulicenergy so arranged as to decrease the time consumed during each pressingoperation. To this end, the forces imparted by fluid pressure piston andcylinder assemblies are, in effect, reversed by unique arm and linkarrangements such that the pressing stroke takes place as the pistonstems are extended and the press is moved rapidly along its returnstroke during retraction of the stems. Synchronization is effected byintermeshing gear teeth between each of two pairs of power transmittingarms or beams and by an operable interconnection through use of a torquemember, the linkages being so connected as to apply equalized forces ateach of four corners of the press.

12 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures Garrison 214/522 Patented Sept. 11, 1973PRESS MECHANISM FOR STACK-FORMING IMPLEMENTS This invention relates toimprovements in stackforming loaders of the kind disclosed in U. S.Letters Patent No. 3,556,327 issued in the name of Garrison on Jan. 19,1971, said patent being incorporated herein by reference asneed be for afull understanding of the present invention.

An important object of the present invention is to provide actuatingmechanism for a press of the kind disclosed in said patent, for example,which will increase the speed of the press operation.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a presscontrol which permits the use of hydraulic energy while, at the sametime, eliminates the resultant slowdown when such type of energy is usedand coupled in conventional manners.

Still another important object of our instant invention is to make useof fluid pressure piston and cylinder assemblies for the aforementionedpurpose in a manner to eliminate need for any type of control toequalize the fluid flow to the assemblies in order to distribute theforces uniformly to the press.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a stack forming loaderprovided with a press together with mechanism for reciprocating thepress made in accordance with our present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view taken on irregularline 2-2 of FIG. 11; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, detailed cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3of FIG. 1.

While the stack forming loader chosen for illustration of the presentinvention is substantially the same as that disclosed in U. S.application Ser. No. 139,391 filed May 3, 1971 in the names of White etal, the reciprocating mechanism about to be described is equally adaptedfor use in connection with the stack forming loader disclosed in theaforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,556,327. Moreover, the improved mechanismof the instant invention may also be used in lieu of the hydraulic pressreciprocating arrangement disclosed in U. S. application Ser. No. 82,900filed Oct. 22, 1970 in the names of Adee et al.

In view of the full disclosure of what is meant herein by astack-forming loader as set forth in US. Pat. No. 3,556,327, suffice itto point out that the wheeled vehicle shown in FIG. 1 hereof may betowed by a tractor along a windrow of hay such that the hay is picked upand blown into a hollow body or container beneath a press 12. The press12 is carried by the body 10 for vertical reciprocation such that thepress may be lowered at least once in order to compact the hay collectedwithin the body It). The finished stack is thereafter unloaded from thebody 10 after raising the press 12 to the upper end of its reciprocablepath of travel.

In accordance with our present invention, two mechanisms l4 and 16, oneon each side respectively of the body 10, are provided for reciprocatingthe press 12. Inasmuch as the mechanisms 14 and 16 are identical,

it is but necessary to detail the nature of the mechanism It includes apair of substantially identical arms or beams 18 and 20 which, in theform chosen for illustration, are essentially triangular inconfiguration. Arms 18 and 20 are mounted'on the body it exteriorlythereof for vertical swinging movement about horizontal shafts 22 and 24respectively, shafts 22 and 24 projecting outwardly from reinforcingstuds 26 and 28 respectively forming a part of the proximal sidewall ofthe body 10. The outer ends of the shafts 22 and 24 are supported byelongated straps 30 and 32 respectively attached at their lower ends bycorresponding pins 34 and 36 projecting outwardly from the studs 26 and28. A crossbar 38 adjacent the straps 30 and 32 interconnects the shafts22 and 24. The same identifying numerals suitably primed designate thecomponents of the mechanism 116 shown in FIG. 2.

The arms 18 and 20 are connected with the press 12 by linkages 40 and 42respectively through the use of pivot pins 44 at the narrow comers ofthe arms 18 and 20 and by pivot pins 46 projecting outwardly from thepress 12 above the body 10. The upper pins 46 are spaced longitudinallyof the press 12 such that the mechanisms 14 and 16 are coupled with thepress 12 adjacent each of the four corners of the latter. The sidewallsof the body 10 provide lateral stability for the press 12, and the press12 is restrained against foreand-aft movement relative to the body 10 bysuitable guides between the press 12 and the body 10 (not shown).

The wider ends of the arms 18 and 20 remote from the pivot pins areprovided with an arcuate series of gear teeth 48 and 50 respectively,such teeth 48 and 50 remaining in mesh at all times such that swingingmovement of the arm 18 is imparted from gear teeth 48 to the gear teeth50, causing the arm 20 to swing simultaneously with the arm 18.

A fluid pressure piston and cylinder assembly 52, pivotallyinterconnecting the body 10 and the arm 18, includes a cylinder 54having a piston 56 reciprocable therein and a piston stem 58 extendingupwardly and outwardly beyond the upper end of the cylinder 54. Thecylinder 54 is adapted to receive hydraulic pressure at both endsthereof, rendering the same double acting, and the pin 34 serves topivotally connect the cylinder 54 at its lower end with the body 10. Apivot pin 60 couples the outer end of the stem 58 with the gear toothsegment 48 of the arm 18.

An elongated torsion member 62, traversingthe body 10 and rotatablycarried thereby, is common to the mechanisms 14 and 16 and has a crank64 rigid thereto. An elongated link 66 is pivotally coupled with thegear tooth segment 50 of the arm 20 and with the crank 64, renderingrotation of the torsion member 62 responsive to actuation of themechanisms 14 and 16.

OPERATION Simultaneous actuation of the assembly 52 for the mechanism 14and the corresponding assembly (not shown) for the mechanism 16 effectsraising of the press 12 from the position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2,placing the loader in condition for receiving material. It is to benoted that as the piston 56 moves toward the lower end of the cylinder54 to retract the stem 58, arm 13 rotates clockwise viewing FIG. I topush upwardly on the linkage 40. At the same time, the arm 20 is swungcounterclockwise viewing FIG. 1 to push upwardly on the link 42 byvirtue of the motion that is transmitted from the gear teeth 48 to thegear teeth 50. Thus, with both mechanisms 14 and 16 operatingsimultaneously, the amount of upward movement of the press 12 and allfour pivot pins 46 is equal.

Assuming that the force of the fluid to the cylinder 54 is equal to thatbeing directed to the corresponding cylinder of the mechanism 16, thetwo arms 20 and 20 will act on the links 66 and 66' with equal force toswing the cranks 64 and 64' in unison to thereby rotate the torsionmember 62.

However, if for any reason, such as because of fluid leak-by ordifferences in fluid capacity of the two cylinders, one of themechanisms 14 or 16 tends to lag, press lifting forces will betransmitted through the torque member 62 from the mechanism 14 to themechanism 16 or vice versa. This equalization of forces between themechanisms 14 and 16 is even more important on the downstroke of thepress 12 when it is under the load of the material in the body beingcompacted by the press 12.

It is now to be noted that the return stroke of the press 12 takes placeduring retraction of the piston stems and that therefore the upwardmovement of the press 12 is relatively rapid because the fluidcapacities of the cylinders above their pistons are less than thecapacities of the cylinders below their pistons. That is to say, thepresence of the stems within the cylinders during downward movement oftheir pistons reduces the volumetric capacity of the cylinders abovetheir pistons. Accordingly, by virtue of the coupling between thehydraulic assemblies and the press 12, which includes the two sets ofarms 18 and 20, together with the two sets of links 40 and 42, the speedof travel of the press 12 during its upward stroke is greater than thespeed of descent of the press 12 when it is under a working load. Thatfeature, together with the parts played by two sets of intermeshingteeth 48, 50 and the torque member 62 as above described, contributes tothe improved performance made possible by the principles of the instantinvention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with a reciprocable press having a pair of sides andused in connection with a stack forming machine, a press actuatingmechanism for each side respectively of said press, each mechanismcomprising:

a double acting, fluid pressure, piston and cylinder assembly having acylinder provided with a reciprocable piston and adapted for receivingfluid under pressure at opposide ends of the piston, said piston havinga stem extending outwardly through one end of the cylinder;

structure interconnecting the stern and the press for moving the latteralong its stack pressing stroke as the piston is shifted in onedirection to extend the stem, and moving the press along its returnstroke as the piston is shifted in the opposite direction to retract thestem; and

means for synchronizing said mechanisms.

2. In combination with a reciprocable press having a pair of sides andused in connection with a stack forming machine, a press actuatingmechanism for each side respectively of said press, each mechanismcomprising:

a double acting, fluid pressure, piston and cylinder assembly having acylinder provided with a reciprocable piston and adapted for receivingfluid under pressure at opposite ends of the piston, said piston havinga stem extending outwardly through one end of the cylinder;

structure interconnecting the stem and the press for moving the latteralong its stack pressing stroke as the piston is shifted in onedirection to extend the stem, and moving the press along its returnstroke as the piston is shifted in the opposite direction to retract thestem; and

a torque member between said mechanisms for synchronizing the same.

3. In a control for a reciprocable press:

a pair of spaced motion transmitting mechanisms each in-cluding:

a pair of elongated beams;

means mounting said beams for swinging movement about spaced axes;

means coupling each beam respectively with the press for reciprocatingthe latter during swinging of the beams; and

means restraining the beams to swinging movement in unison,

said restraining means including an operable connection between thebeams of each mechanism respectively for swinging the beams in oppositedirections with respect to one another and means interconnecting the twomechanisms,

said interconnecting means including an elongated torque member, meanssupporting said member for rotation about its longitudinal axis, andmeans coupling opposite ends of the member with the mechanismsrespectively for rotating the member in response to actuation of themechanisms.

4. In a stack forming implement:

crop receiving structure including a hollow open top body having a pairof spaced, upright sides and a hollow open bottom press, reciprocablevertically in said body,

said press being provided with a roof and with a pair of spaced, uprightsides; and

a pair of identical motion transmitting mechanisms,

one for each side respectively of the body exteriorly of the latter,each mechanism including:

a pair of upright arms;

shafts mounting said arms on the proximal side of said body for swingingmovement within a common upright plane about horizontally spaced axes,

means restraining the arms to swinging movement in unison,

' a pair of elongated links projecting above said sides of the body anddisposed in a common upright plane,

each link extending upwardly from a corresponding arm,

, horizontally spaced pivot pins remote from said shafts coupling thelinks at the lower ends thereof with their arms,

horizontally spaced pivot pins at the upper ends of the links below thetop of said roof coupling the same with the press for raising andlowering the latter in response to swinging of the arms,

the shafts and the pins being normal to the path of reciprocation of thepress, and

power means for swinging the arms.

5. The invention of claim 4, each power means comprising a fluidpressure piston and cylinder assembly.

6. The invention of claim 5, each assembly pivotally interconnecting thebody and one of said arms.

7. The invention of claim 4, each arm having a first upper end and asecond end spaced from said first end,

nizing said mechanisms.

11. The invention of claim 4, and a torque member between saidmechanisms for synchronizing the same.

12. The invention of claim 11, said member being rotatably supported andhaving a pair of cranks rigid thereto; and a link pivotallyinterconnecting one arm of each mechanism with a corresponding crank.

l I I i

1. In combination with a reciprocable press having a pair of sides and used in connection with a stack forming machine, a press actuating mechanism for each side respectively of said press, each mechanism comprising: a double acting, fluid pressure, piston and cylinder assembly having a cylinder provided with a reciprocable piston and adapted for receiving fluid under pressure at opposide ends of the piston, said piston having a stem extending outwardly through one end of the cylinder; structure interconnecting the stem and the press for moving the latter along its stack pressing stroke as the piston is shifted in one direction to extend the stem, and moving the press along its return stroke as the piston is shifted in the opposite direction to retract the stem; and means for synchronizing said mechanisms.
 2. In combination with a reciprocable press having a pair of sides and used in connection with a stack forming machine, a press actuating mechanism for each side respectively of said press, each mechanism comprising: a double acting, fluid pressure, piston and cylinder assembly having a cylinder provided with a reciprocable piston and adapted for receiving fluid under pressure at opposite ends of the piston, said piston having a stem extending outwardly through one end of the cylinder; structure interconnecting the stem and the press for moving the latter along its stack pressing stroke as the piston is shifted in one direction to extend the stem, and moving the press along its return stroke as the piston is shifted in the opposite direction to retract the stem; and a torque member between said mechanisms for synchronizing the same.
 3. In a control for a reciprocable press: a pair of spaced motion transmitting mechanisms each in-cluding: a pair of elongated beams; means mounting sAid beams for swinging movement about spaced axes; means coupling each beam respectively with the press for reciprocating the latter during swinging of the beams; and means restraining the beams to swinging movement in unison, said restraining means including an operable connection between the beams of each mechanism respectively for swinging the beams in opposite directions with respect to one another and means interconnecting the two mechanisms, said interconnecting means including an elongated torque member, means supporting said member for rotation about its longitudinal axis, and means coupling opposite ends of the member with the mechanisms respectively for rotating the member in response to actuation of the mechanisms.
 4. In a stack forming implement: crop receiving structure including a hollow open top body having a pair of spaced, upright sides and a hollow open bottom press, reciprocable vertically in said body, said press being provided with a roof and with a pair of spaced, upright sides; and a pair of identical motion transmitting mechanisms, one for each side respectively of the body exteriorly of the latter, each mechanism including: a pair of upright arms; shafts mounting said arms on the proximal side of said body for swinging movement within a common upright plane about horizontally spaced axes, means restraining the arms to swinging movement in unison, a pair of elongated links projecting above said sides of the body and disposed in a common upright plane, each link extending upwardly from a corresponding arm, horizontally spaced pivot pins remote from said shafts coupling the links at the lower ends thereof with their arms, horizontally spaced pivot pins at the upper ends of the links below the top of said roof coupling the same with the press for raising and lowering the latter in response to swinging of the arms, the shafts and the pins being normal to the path of reciprocation of the press, and power means for swinging the arms.
 5. The invention of claim 4, each power means comprising a fluid pressure piston and cylinder assembly.
 6. The invention of claim 5, each assembly pivotally interconnecting the body and one of said arms.
 7. The invention of claim 4, each arm having a first upper end and a second end spaced from said first end, the shafts being adjacent said first ends, said links being coupled with the arms adjacent said second ends.
 8. The invention of claim 4, each arm having an end spaced from its shaft, said restraining means being between said ends of the arms.
 9. The invention of claim 8, said restraining means comprising gear teeth on each arm, said teeth intermeshing.
 10. The invention of claim 4; and means for synchronizing said mechanisms.
 11. The invention of claim 4, and a torque member between said mechanisms for synchronizing the same.
 12. The invention of claim 11, said member being rotatably supported and having a pair of cranks rigid thereto; and a link pivotally interconnecting one arm of each mechanism with a corresponding crank. 